Professional Documents
Culture Documents
ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
PROGRAMS
Effective for Reviews During the
2012-2013 Accreditation Cycle
Incorporates all changes
approved by the
ABET
Board of Directors
as of
October 29, 2011
T1 11/15/11
ABET
111 Market Place
Suite 1050
Baltimore, MD 21202
Requests for further information about ABET, its accreditation process, or other activities may be
addressed to the Accreditation Director, ABET, 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202 or
to accreditation@abet.org .
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
GENERAL CRITERIA ................................................................................................................................1
Students.....................................................................................................................................................1
Program Educational Objectives ..............................................................................................................2
Student Outcomes .....................................................................................................................................2
Continuous Improvement .........................................................................................................................3
Curriculum ................................................................................................................................................3
Faculty ......................................................................................................................................................4
Facilities ....................................................................................................................................................4
Institutional Support .................................................................................................................................4
PROGRAM CRITERIA ..............................................................................................................................5
Aeronautical Engineering Technology .....................................................................................................5
Air Conditioning Engineering Technology ..............................................................................................6
Architectural Engineering Technology ....................................................................................................7
Automotive Engineering Technology ......................................................................................................7
Bioengineering Technology .....................................................................................................................8
Chemical Engineering Technology ..........................................................................................................9
Civil Engineering Technology................................................................................................................10
Computer Engineering Technology........................................................................................................11
Construction Engineering Technology ...................................................................................................11
Drafting/Design Engineering Technology (Mechanical) .......................................................................12
Electrical/Electronic(s) Engineering Technology ..................................................................................13
Electromechanical Engineering Technology ..........................................................................................14
Engineering Technology.........................................................................................................................15
Environmental Engineering Technology ................................................................................................16
Industrial Engineering Technology ........................................................................................................16
Information Engineering Technology ....................................................................................................17
Instrumentation and Control Systems Engineering Technology ............................................................18
Manufacturing Engineering Technology ................................................................................................19
Marine Engineering Technology ............................................................................................................20
Mechanical Engineering Technology .....................................................................................................21
Nuclear Engineering Technology ...........................................................................................................21
Surveying/Geomatics Engineering Technology .....................................................................................22
Telecommunications Engineering Technology ......................................................................................23
PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE CRITERIA.........................................................................................25
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----------------------------It is the responsibility of the program seeking accreditation to demonstrate clearly that the program meets
the following criteria.
GENERAL CRITERIA
Criterion 1. Students
Student performance must be evaluated. Student progress must be monitored to foster success in
attaining student outcomes, thereby enabling graduates to attain program educational objectives. Students
must be advised regarding curriculum and career matters.
The program must have and enforce policies for accepting both new and transfer students, awarding
appropriate academic credit for courses taken at other institutions, and awarding appropriate academic
credit for work in lieu of courses taken at the institution. The program must have and enforce procedures
to ensure and document that students who graduate meet all graduation requirements.
c. an ability to conduct standard tests and measurements; to conduct, analyze, and interpret
experiments; and to apply experimental results to improve processes;
d. an ability to design systems, components, or processes for broadly-defined engineering
technology problems appropriate to program educational objectives;
e. an ability to function effectively as a member or leader on a technical team;
f. an ability to identify, analyze, and solve broadly-defined engineering technology problems;
g. an ability to apply written, oral, and graphical communication in both technical and nontechnical environments; and an ability to identify and use appropriate technical literature;
h. an understanding of the need for and an ability to engage in self-directed continuing
professional development;
i. an understanding of and a commitment to address professional and ethical responsibilities
including a respect for diversity;
j. a knowledge of the impact of engineering technology solutions in a societal and global
context; and
k. a commitment to quality, timeliness, and continuous improvement.
Criterion 4. Continuous Improvement
The program must regularly use appropriate, documented processes for assessing and evaluating the
extent to which both the program educational objectives and the student outcomes are being attained. The
results of these evaluations must be systematically utilized as input for the continuous improvement of
the program. Other available information may also be used to assist in the continuous improvement of
the program.
Criterion 5. Curriculum
The curriculum must effectively develop the following subject areas in support of student outcomes and
program educational objectives.
Mathematics The program must develop the ability of students to apply mathematics to the solution of
technical problems.
a. Associate degree programs will, at a minimum, include algebra and trigonometry at a level
appropriate to the student outcomes and program educational objectives.
b. Baccalaureate degree programs will include the application of integral and differential calculus
or other mathematics appropriate to the student outcomes and program educational objectives.
Technical Content The technical content of the program must focus on the applied aspects of science and
engineering and must:
a. Represent at least 1/3 of the total credit hours for the program but no more than 2/3 of the
total credit hours for the program.
b. Include a technical core that prepares students for the increasingly complex technical
specialties they will experience later in the curriculum.
c. Develop student competency in the use of equipment and tools common to the discipline.
Physical and Natural Science The basic science content of the program must include physical or natural
science with laboratory experiences as appropriate to the discipline.
The Integration of Content Baccalaureate degree programs must provide a capstone or integrating
experience that develops student competencies in applying both technical and non-technical skills in
solving problems.
Cooperative Education When used to satisfy prescribed elements of these criteria, credits based upon
cooperative/internships or similar experiences must include an appropriate academic component
evaluated by the program faculty.
Advisory Committee An advisory committee with representation from organizations being served by the
program graduates must be utilized to periodically review the programs curriculum and advise the
program on the establishment, review, and revision of its program educational objectives. The advisory
committee must provide advisement on current and future aspects of the technical fields for which the
graduates are being prepared.
Criterion 6. Faculty
Each faculty member teaching in the program must have expertise and educational background consistent
with the contributions to the program expected from the faculty member. The competence of faculty
members must be demonstrated by such factors as education, professional credentials and certifications,
professional experience, ongoing professional development, contributions to the discipline, teaching
effectiveness, and communication skills. Collectively, the faculty must have the breadth and depth to
cover all curricular areas of the program.
The faculty serving in the program must be of sufficient number to maintain continuity, stability,
oversight, student interaction, and advising. The faculty must have sufficient responsibility and authority
to improve the program through definition and revision of program educational objectives and student
outcomes as well as through the implementation of a program of study that fosters the attainment of
student outcomes.
Criterion 7. Facilities
Classrooms, offices, laboratories, and associated equipment must be adequate to support attainment of
the student outcomes and to provide an atmosphere conducive to learning. Modern tools, equipment,
computing resources, and laboratories appropriate to the program must be available, accessible, and
systematically maintained and upgraded to enable students to attain the student outcomes and to support
program needs. Students must be provided appropriate guidance regarding the use of the tools,
equipment, computing resources, and laboratories available to the program.
The library services and the computing and information infrastructure must be adequate to support the
scholarly and professional activities of the students and faculty.
Criterion 8. Institutional Support
Institutional support and leadership must be adequate to ensure the quality and continuity of the program.
Resources including institutional services, financial support, and staff (both administrative and technical)
provided to the program must be adequate to meet program needs. The resources available to the
program must be sufficient to attract, retain, and provide for the continued professional development of a
qualified faculty. The resources available to the program must be sufficient to acquire, maintain, and
operate infrastructures, facilities and equipment appropriate for the program, and to provide an
environment in which student outcomes can be attained.
PROGRAM CRITERIA
Each program seeking accreditation from the Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET must
demonstrate that it satisfies all Program Criteria implied by the program title.
b. Technical expertise having added depth in a minimum of three subject areas chosen from:
manufacturing processes, vehicle design and modification, engineering materials, electromechanical devices and controls, industrial operations, and systems engineering including the
appreciation of the engineering design cycle and the system life cycle relating to the manufacture
and maintenance of aeronautical/aerospace vehicles and their components.
c. Expertise in applied physics having an emphasis in applied mechanics, plus added technical
topics in physics and other science principles appropriate to the program objectives.
Objective
An accreditable program will prepare graduates with technical and managerial skills necessary to enter
careers in design, manufacturing, marketing, operation, and maintenance in the field of automotive
engineering technology. Graduates of associate degree programs are expected to have strengths in their
knowledge of operations, maintenance, and manufacturing, while baccalaureate degree graduates are
expected to be prepared for design and management in the automotive field.
Outcomes
The nature and level of proficiency demonstrated by graduates in the outcomes prescribed below must be
appropriate to the program objectives.
The field of automotive engineering technology is dependent on the application of computers in analysis,
design, manufacturing, and operation of facilities. The program must demonstrate that graduates are
competent in the application of computer technologies commonly used in industry, governmental service,
and private practice associated with land, sea, air, and space mobility.
Graduates must demonstrate proficiency in the application of probability and statistics to the solution of
problems related to land, sea, air, and space mobility.
In the field of automotive engineering technology, management and technology are often inextricably
intertwined. The program must demonstrate that graduates have acquired the ability to apply modern and
effective management skills in identification and investigation of problems, analysis of data, synthesis
and implementation of solutions, and operations of facilities related to land, sea, air, and space mobility.
The program must demonstrate that graduates have a working knowledge of the design, manufacture, and
maintenance of major subsystems and technologies associated with land, sea, air, and space mobility.
Outcomes
Graduates of associate degree programs must demonstrate knowledge and hands-on competence
appropriate to the goals of the program in:
a. the application of circuit analysis and design, analog and digital electronics, microcomputers,
bioengineering systems, and safety in the building, testing, operation, and maintenance of
biomedical equipment.
b. the applications of physics, chemistry, and biological sciences to building, testing, operation, and
maintenance of biomedical equipment in a rigorous mathematical environment at or above the
level of algebra and trigonometry.
In addition to the above, graduates of baccalaureate degree programs must demonstrate:
a. the ability to analyze, design, and implement bioengineering systems.
b. the ability to utilize statistics/probability, transform methods, discrete mathematics, or applied
differential equations in support of bioengineering systems.
c. an understanding of the clinical application of biomedical equipment.
a. The concepts of chemical engineering unit operations such as mass transfer, heat transfer,
distillation, and evaporation to the design, operation, and maintenance of chemical processes,
b. The principles of thermodynamics; process control and instrumentation, computer applications,
and materials science to the design, operation, and maintenance of chemical processes.
The nature and level of proficiency must be appropriate to the program objectives.
In the field of chemical engineering technology, the various fields of the chemical sciences and the
operation of industrial chemical process equipment are often inextricably intertwined. The program must
demonstrate that graduates have the ability to operate, test, and check out chemical process equipment in
accordance with appropriate safety, health and environmental considerations and regulations.
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infrastructure. Graduates of associate degree programs have skills in the construction, testing, operation,
and maintenance of buildings and infrastructure; they also have the ability to utilize basic construction
documents to participate in construction activities. Graduates of baccalaureate degree programs are
prepared to specify project methods and materials, perform cost estimates and analyses, and manage
construction activities.
Outcomes
Graduates of associate degree programs will, to the extent required to meet Program Educational
Objectives:
a. utilize techniques that are appropriate to administer and evaluate construction contracts,
documents, and codes;
b. estimate costs, estimate quantities, and evaluate materials for construction projects;
c. utilize measuring methods, hardware, and software that are appropriate for field, laboratory, and
office processes related to construction;
d. apply fundamental computational methods and elementary analytical techniques in subdisciplines related to construction engineering.
In addition, graduates of baccalaureate degree programs will, to the extent required to meet the Program
Educational Objectives:
a. produce and utilize design, construction, and operations documents;
b. perform economic analyses and cost estimates related to design, construction, and maintenance of
systems associated with construction engineering;
c. select appropriate construction materials and practices;
d. apply appropriate principles of construction management, law, and ethics, and;
e. perform standard analysis and design in at least one sub-discipline related to construction
engineering.
PROGRAM CRITERIA FOR
DRAFTING/DESIGN ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY (MECHANICAL)
AND SIMILARLY NAMED PROGRAMS
Lead Society: American Society of Mechanical Engineers
Cooperating Society: Society of Manufacturing Engineers
Applicability
These program criteria apply to engineering technology programs with an emphasis on mechanical
components and systems, that include drafting/design and similar modifiers in their titles.
Objective
An accreditable program in Drafting/Design Engineering Technology will prepare graduates with
knowledge, problem solving ability, and hands on skills to enter careers in drafting and basic design of
mechanical components and systems. Graduates of associate degree programs shall have competency in
drafting, including at least one commercial CAD software package appropriate to the program objectives.
Baccalaureate degree graduates are prepared with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to enter careers in
applied mechanical design.
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Outcomes
Graduates of associate degree programs must demonstrate knowledge and technical competency
appropriate to the objectives of the program in:
a. engineering materials, applied mechanics, and manufacturing methods.
b. applied drafting practice emphasizing mechanical components and systems, as well as
fundamentals of descriptive geometry, orthographic projection, sectioning, tolerancing and
dimensioning, and basic computer aided drafting and design with technical depth in at least one
of these areas.
c. the application of physics and engineering materials having an emphasis in applied mechanics, or
in-depth application of physics having emphasis in mechanical components and design.
Graduates of baccalaureate degree programs, in addition to outcomes required of associate degree
graduates, must demonstrate competency in the application of manuals, handbooks, material and/or
equipment specifications, and related software in advanced drafting/design. Competency in the
application of current codes and standards must be demonstrated with open-ended design experiences
that integrate materials, manufacturing, design analysis, or graphics. Understanding of concepts relating
to the environmental and economic impacts of design must also be demonstrated. Graduates must also
demonstrate competency in:
a. design of machine elements, advanced drafting including current three dimensional computer
representations as related to mechanical design, and manufacturing methods. Advanced
proficiency must be demonstrated in at least three drafting / design related areas, consistent with
the technical orientation of the program.
b. the in-depth application of physics and engineering materials having emphasis in drafting,
manufacturing, and design of mechanical components.
PROGRAM CRITERIA FOR
ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONIC(S) ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
AND SIMILARLY NAMED PROGRAMS
Lead Society: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Applicability
These program criteria apply to engineering technology programs that include electrical or electronic(s)
and similar modifiers in their titles.
Objective
An accreditable program in Electrical/Electronic(s) Engineering Technology will prepare graduates with
the technical and managerial skills necessary to enter careers in the design, application, installation,
manufacturing, operation and/or maintenance of electrical/electronic(s) systems. Graduates of associate
degree programs typically have strengths in the building, testing, operation, and maintenance of existing
electrical systems, whereas baccalaureate degree graduates are well prepared for development and
implementation of electrical/electronic(s) systems.
Outcomes
Graduates of associate degree programs must demonstrate knowledge and hands-on competence
appropriate to the goals of the program in:
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a. the application of circuit analysis and design, computer programming, associated software, analog
and digital electronics, and microcomputers, and engineering standards to the building, testing,
operation, and maintenance of electrical/electronic(s) systems.
b. the applications of physics or chemistry to electrical/electronic(s) circuits in a rigorous
mathematical environment at or above the level of algebra and trigonometry.
Given the breadth of technical expertise involved with electrical systems, and the unique objectives of
individual programs, some baccalaureate programs may focus on preparing graduates with in-depth but
narrow expertise, while other programs may choose to prepare graduates with expertise in a broad
spectrum of the field. Therefore, the depth and breadth of expertise demonstrated by baccalaureate
graduates must be appropriate to support the goals of the program. In addition to the outcomes expected
of associate degree graduates, graduates of baccalaureate degree programs must demonstrate:
a. the ability to analyze, design, and implement control systems, instrumentation systems,
communications systems, computer systems, or power systems.
b. the ability to apply project management techniques to electrical/electronic(s) systems.
c. the ability to utilize statistics/probability, transform methods, discrete mathematics, or applied
differential equations in support of electrical/electronic(s) systems.
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b. Use circuit analysis, analog and digital electronics, basic instrumentation, and computers to aid in
the characterization, analysis, and troubleshooting of electromechanical systems.
c. Use statics, dynamics (or applied mechanics), strength of materials, engineering materials,
engineering standards, and manufacturing processes to aid in the characterization, analysis, and
troubleshooting of electromechanical systems.
Graduates of baccalaureate degree programs, in addition to the outcomes required of associate degree
graduates and appropriate to the objectives of the program, must also demonstrate competency to:
a. Use appropriate computer programming languages for operating electromechanical systems.
b. Use electrical/electronic devices such as amplifiers, motors, relays, power systems, and computer
and instrumentation systems for applied design, operation, or troubleshooting electromechanical
systems.
c. Use advanced topics in engineering mechanics, engineering materials, and fluid mechanics for
applied design, operation, or troubleshooting of electromechanical systems.
d. Use basic knowledge of control systems for the applied design, operation. or troubleshooting of
electromechanical systems.
e. Use differential and integral calculus, as a minimum, to characterize the static and dynamic
performance of electromechanical systems.
f. Use appropriate management techniques in the investigation, analysis, and design of
electromechanical systems.
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Objective
An accreditable program in Industrial Engineering Technology will prepare graduates with the technical
and managerial skills necessary to develop, implement, and improve integrated systems that include
people, materials, information, equipment, and energy. Graduates at the associate level will be prepared
for immediate employment, but will also be prepared to continue in baccalaureate studies in industrial
engineering technology and related upper level studies. Graduates at the baccalaureate level will be
prepared for careers in higher levels of system design, integration, and management.
Outcomes
Graduates must demonstrate the ability to accomplish the integration of systems using appropriate
analytical, computational, and application practices and procedures.
Graduates at the baccalaureate level must demonstrate the ability to apply knowledge of probability,
statistics, engineering economic analysis and cost control, and other technical sciences and specialties
necessary in the field of industrial engineering technology.
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Given the breadth of technical expertise involved with information systems, and the unique objectives of
individual programs, some baccalaureate programs may focus on preparing graduates with in-depth but
narrow expertise, while other programs may choose to prepare graduates with expertise in a broad
spectrum of the field. Therefore, the depth and breadth of expertise demonstrated by baccalaureate
graduates must be appropriate to support the goals of the program. In addition to outcomes expected of
associate degree graduates, graduates of baccalaureate degree programs must demonstrate:
a. the ability to design, implement, maintain and provide for the security of facilities involved with
the processing and transfer of information
b. the ability to apply project management techniques to facilities that process and transfer
information
c. the ability to apply discrete mathematics, and probability and statistics in the support of facilities
that process and transfer information.
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f. communicate the technical details of control systems using current techniques and graphical
standards.
In addition, baccalaureate graduates must demonstrate the ability to
a. apply the concepts of mechanics, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer to the design of process
control systems, and
b. understand and utilize programmable logic controllers (PLC), distributed control systems (DCS)
and supervisory control systems for control of manufacturing and processing systems.
Mathematics forms the basis for design, synthesis and analysis in the field of instrumentation and control
engineering technology. Associate degree graduates must demonstrate the ability to apply algebra,
trigonometry, and elementary calculus in the installation, calibration and trouble-shooting of control
systems. Baccalaureate graduates must demonstrate proficiency in the utilization of differential and
integral calculus and ordinary differential equations in the design, analysis, and performance assessment
of control systems.
In the field of instrumentation and control engineering technology, management and technology are often
inextricably intertwined. Therefore
a. associate degree graduates must demonstrate the ability to recognize and apply the fundamental
concepts of economics and management to problems in automatic control systems, and
b. baccalaureate degree graduates must demonstrate the ability to utilize modern and effective
management skills for performing investigation, analysis, and synthesis in the implementation of
automatic control systems.
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Graduates must demonstrate the ability to successfully complete a comprehensive design project related
to the field of manufacturing.
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Objective
An accredited program in Nuclear Engineering Technology will prepare graduates with knowledge,
skills, and problem-solving abilities required to enter careers in those parts of the nuclear industry served
by the program. Graduates of programs in nuclear engineering technology will have strengths in the areas
of nuclear processes and operations, nuclear systems, and radiological safety, developed from an
understanding of the fundamental principles, conservation laws, and rate processes of the physical
sciences, and the importance of the safe operation of nuclear systems.
Outcomes
An associate degree program must demonstrate that graduates have acquired the following capabilities:
a. An understanding of nuclear systems and operations, and radiological safety, including
1. radiation protection procedures,
2. currently applicable rules and regulations, maintenance, control, performance, the human
interface in operations, and quality assurance pertaining to the operation of nuclear systems,
and
3. the importance of the safe operation of nuclear systems.
b. An ability to solve problems using foundation mathematics and the fundamental principles,
conservation laws, and rate processes of the physical sciences that are commonly encountered in
the segment of the nuclear industry served by the program.
c. An ability to conduct, analyze, and interpret laboratory experiments, and to interpret laboratory
analyses that measure nuclear and radiation processes.
A baccalaureate degree program must demonstrate that graduates have acquired the capabilities specified
above and the following capabilities:
a. An ability to apply advanced mathematics, including differential/integral calculus, to the solution
of problems commonly encountered in the segment of the nuclear industry served by the program.
b. An understanding of the design processes for nuclear systems used in the segment of the nuclear
industry served by the program.
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records and prepare maps and plats; whereas baccalaureate degree graduates possess a stronger
background in geodetic science, photogrammetry and remote sensing, and data analysis, and are prepared
to design and select appropriate measurement systems, analyze positional accuracy in conformance with
appropriate standards, prepare land records and plats to meet legal requirements, and manage
surveying/geomatics activities.
Outcomes
Associate degree programs must demonstrate that graduates are capable of:
a. Utilizing modern measurement technologies to acquire spatial data;
b. Employing industry-standard software to solve technical problems;
Baccalaureate degree programs must demonstrate that graduates, in addition to the competencies above,
are capable of:
a. Applying technical concepts to the design of measurement systems to meet project requirements;
b. Analyzing data for conformance with precision and accuracy requirements;
c. Performing standard analysis and design in at least one of the recognized technical specialties
within surveying/geomatics technology that are appropriate to the goals of the program. The
specialties include boundary and/or land surveying geographic and/or land information systems,
engineering project surveying, photogrammetry, mapping and geodesy, and other related areas.
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PROPOSED REVISION
TO
CRITERIA FOR ACCREDITING ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS
Criterion 5. Curriculum
The curriculum must effectively develop the following subject areas in support of student outcomes and
program educational objectives.
Mathematics The program must develop the ability of students to apply mathematics to the solution of
technical problems.
a.
b.
Associate degree programs will, at a minimum, include algebra and trigonometry at a level
appropriate to the student outcomes and program educational objectives.
Baccalaureate degree programs will include the application of integral and differential calculus or
other mathematics above the level of algebra and trigonometry appropriate to the student
outcomes and program educational objectives.
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